Loikaw, 13 December
The civilian death toll has reached 82 during the nearly month-long conflict in Karenni State, according to information from the Karenni Humanitarian Aid Initiative (KHAI).
Starting on November 11, the revolutionary forces engaged in a battle to capture Loikaw, Demoso, and Mobye, and during the battle, the military council’s artillery shelling and airstrikes caused an increase in civilian deaths.
It is reported that 43 civilians were killed in artillery fire, 24 in airstrikes, and 15 were killed by regime troops.
The Karenni National People’s Liberation Front (KNPLF) spokesman, Lawren Soe told Than Lwin Times that the military council is targeting the people as enemies.
Among the dead are 39 men, 18 women, 12 children, two religious men, and 11 people whose names and ages cannot be confirmed, according to KHAI’s statement.
According to the Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC), the latest situation is difficult to access due to communication difficulties, and the civilian death toll may be higher than the current figures.
The junta army carried out more than 100 airstrikes in a single day against Loikaw during Operation 1111 by the Karenni Revolutionary Forces.
Moreover, the junta air force bombed the refugee camps when there was no fighting, with the artillery unit firing heavy weapons as well, according to the Demoso IDP camp.
More than 40,000 local residents fled their homes amid the battle to take Loikaw, and the regime troops opened fire on civilians, killing some social rescue workers.
According to a December 11 report by the Assistance Association for the Political Prisoners (AAPP), more than 4,200 civilians were killed during the coup.
News – Than Lwin Times
Photo – Sky News
Thanlwintimes